What kind of stick do you carry?

When it comes to friendships, Israel is justified in expecting the very best from the United States.

Are you celebrating President-elect Trump’s recent victory – or fearing potential policies expected out of Washington? On Israel and Middle East policy, you might take a page from the history books and see ahead with anticipation.

A look back in history shows that strong leaders spoke of peace through strength – both qualities that are sorely missing today, these concepts resonated throughout history as a philosophy to bring containment and quiet. As emerging leader of the ‘new right’ or conservative wing of his Republican party, Ronald Reagan said in 1980: “We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted.”

President Reagan’s wise words actually echoed the famous policy tracing back to the Roman empire.  These emperors, perhaps Hadrian but more likely Trajan and company, espoused the idea of achieving ‘peace through strength – or, if necessary, peace through threat’ [with thanks to my professor A.E. – RJL].

A few hundred years later, the Latin phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” was coined in the fourth century: “If you want peace, prepare for war”. This concept resonated with U.S. President George Washington, who remarked in 1793 to Congress, “If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.” President Theodore Roosevelt echoed this sentiment with his famous saying: “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.”

Today, we would be wise to remember a better, stronger, indeed more peaceful opportunity recently presented to the world. In his first presidency, Trump proclaimed to the UN General Assembly in September 2020, that the United States was “fulfilling its destiny as peace-maker, but it is peace through strength.” Serbia and Kosovo; Egypt, key Gulf states and Qatar; Afghanistan; and closest to our home, the Abraham Accord’s three Middle Eastern countries and Sudan – a near-miraculous set of agreements that have promoted economic security and peace for Israel and the region. Even Iran seemed to wait (patiently, as we’ve now seen) in the wings for a better opportunity. Trump has been compared to Andrew Jackson, whose foreign policy focused on force, ‘if necessary’, reminiscent of Roosevelt’s ‘stick’.

Indeed, wars were avoided during President Trump’s first term: Russia did not dare cross the Ukranian line until after he stepped off the world stage; China, Syria, North Korea – better analysts than myself have detailed these non-developments during Trump’s tenure, escalating in the wake of a new administration. And now we in Israel find ourselves in an ongoing difficult war, one that we fight on an alleged seven fronts. Iran is clearly the actor responsible for much of the planning, weaponry and detailed execution by proxies driven by hate and determined to wipe Israel off the Middle Eastern map. It is hardly a coincidence that this too happened when we in the West were perceived as weak.

Middle East, source: Wikipedia

On the home front: Many readers here can share what it’s like to be at the back end of this war, sending our loved ones to the front lines of warfare, and taking cover to keep our homes safe from incoming deadly missiles. This is not an unimaginable situation, it is very real for many of us.

It’s time to put away the fear of an upcoming second Trump presidency. We have alot of work to do, from combating antisemitism to facing enemies of Israel with a united front. The theme of this war in Israel has been ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ – the nation of Israel lives, in the singular – signifying we are one. And the other phrase, subject of new national top-40 chart hits, is ‘Together we will prevail”. Indeed, together is the lesson of our past and the hope for our future. Democracies have weathered differences of opinion and strife among political adversaries. But we do this with one another, together, respectfully expressing opinions in a democratic manner. And accepting the outcome.

The people of the United States have spoken, and President Donald Trump is taking up his second term at the helm. Get used to it, and get on board. We’ve got a lot of work to do together.